ADRDE, a DRDO lab that works in the field of Aerial Delivery Systems, has designed and developed the Heavy Drop P-7 Parachute system to airdrop 9.5 Ton (Max all Up mass) class payload using IL 76 Aircraft.
The P-7 heavy drop system comprises of Parachute system and Platform system. The parachute system is designed to air drop a payload ranging from 5 ton to 9.5 ton. The parachute system is three stage system, says DRDO.
In the first stage Extractor parachute pulls out the payload from aircraft and then initiates twin canopy of auxiliary parachute system. Auxiliary parachutes pull and assist in deployment of main parachute and brake parachute system. The main parachute system is a cluster of five canopies. After deployment, the Main Para brings the payload to steady state and safe Rate of Descent.
The P-7 Parachute System consists of four main subsystems—Extractor Parachute system (Nos. of canopies : 01 X 8 m2 ); Auxiliary parachute system (Nos. of canopies :02 X 13.5 m2 ); Brake parachute system (Nos. of canopies :05 X 13.5 m2 ); and Main parachute system (Nos. of canopies : 05 X 760 m2 )
Number of other components like metal parts, automatic activation devices (AAD), Deployment bags/pack covers, textile components etc. are also part of the system. The finer details regarding the same will be shared at a later stage after signing the CNDA, says DRDO.
For further details, contact:
Director, DIITM, DRDO Hq. DRDO Bhawan, New Delhi